Written Answers Nos. 292-316
292. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide data on vacant property currently owned or held on long-term lease by the State that is suitable for office accommodation, by building and by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34081/15]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works, on behalf of the State, manage a large and diverse property portfolio which ranges from office accommodation to heritage properties, visitors centres, Garda stations, among others. Within this portfolio, there are a number of vacant properties. The majority of those properties currently vacant are former Garda stations, customs posts, former coastguard stations and sundry other properties located throughout the country.
There is a need to strategically retain certain properties in a number of key locations for development or which will be of greater value and generate more income for the State when the market recovers.
When retaining properties, the OPW continues to explore uses for them through State bodies and local authorities, in addition to considering community use.
The OPW is continually engaged in identifying properties suitable for alternative State use, for example their potential for use as social housing, or other uses that may either generate an income, reduce repair/maintenance costs to the Exchequer or facilitate accommodation or strategic development solutions, in consultation with other State bodies.
There are currently no vacant or unallocated properties on a long term lease.
The Commissioners of Public Works own the following properties which are currently vacant, no decisions have yet been made on future use.
|
Cork |
Building within the Agriculture College Complex, Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
|
Dublin |
91a Lower Georges Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin |
|
Mayo |
Former Social Protection Office, Westport, Co. Mayo |
There are a number of former Garda stations currently vacant nationwide but the properties require assessment as to their suitability for office accommodation.
293. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the number of companies that have availed of the recently launched Tender Advisory Service, by sector. [34085/15]
View answerThe Tender Advisory Service (TAS) was launched on 1st February 2015 to provide an informal outlet for potential suppliers to raise concerns in relation to a particular live tender process. The service is aimed at improving communications with suppliers and increasing professionalism and consistency in the way procurement processes are carried out across the public service.
To date, 23 suppliers have engaged with the service.
Of these queries, 19 were not appropriate to the service for various reasons including:
- the issue raised was of a general nature
-the supplier had not yet engaged with or exhausted the existing query/clarification process which is part of the tendering process,
- the supplier had engaged with the service too late i.e., following the tender closing date.
In these instances the queries were redirected for answer either to the OGP Customer Service Team or the Contracting Authority dealing with a specific tender.
The four eligible queries were received from the following sectors/ categories of goods and services:
Furniture
Laboratory Equipment
Graphic Design/Print Service
Digitisation Service
Details of the TAS scheme, including Frequently Asked Questions and the Standard Enquiry Form can be found at
http://www.procurement.ie/news/2143.
294. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, a detailed breakdown of the costs of implementing the Lansdowne Road agreement in each Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34100/15]
View answerThe estimated overall additional cost of implementing the Lansdowne Road Agreement to the public service paybill (inclusive of the previously committed costs attributable to the Haddington Road Agreement) in each year of the Agreement is €267m in 2016, €290m in 2017, and €287m in 2018. Of the total accumulated cost €278m is attributable to the pre-existing Haddington Road Agreement commitments. This should be compared to public service pay bill savings of €2.1bn annually, achieved as a direct result of pay reductions under the FEMPI legislation.
The detailed breakdown of the costs of implementing the Agreement in each Department is currently a matter of ongoing consideration in the context of finalising the Budget estimates for 2016.
295. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the number of supernumerary positions in his Department and the agencies, organisations and bodies funded by his Department; the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed; and the total cost in maintaining supernumerary positions. [34147/15]
View answerIn answer to the Deputy's question I can confirm that there are no supernumerary positions in my Department. The position with regard to the agencies, organisations or bodies funded by my Department is that with the exception of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) there are no supernumerary positions.
The SEUPB currently has 1.6 full-time equivalent (FTE) supernumerary positions which are as a result of a Transfer of Undertakings, Service Provision Transfer since the 1st January 2014. The current annual cost in maintaining these positions (Gross plus National Insurance Contributions) is €80,000. The cost to the Irish Exchequer is 50% of this, that is €40,000.
296. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made in relation to insurance companies providing building insurance to properties located in areas that are now protected by substantial flood defence schemes provided by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34278/15]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has no role or function in relation to oversight or regulation of the insurance industry. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they are prepared to accept on a case by case basis.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the OPW and Insurance Ireland, which was signed on 24th March 2014, outlines the principles of agreement between the parties on the provision of information to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. The OPW is committed to providing Insurance Ireland with data on all completed OPW flood defence schemes showing the design, extent and nature of the protections offered by these works. Insurance Ireland members will then take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these areas.
In accordance with the Memorandum, the OPW has provided Insurance Ireland with data on the following sixteen completed OPW flood defence schemes.
- River Suir, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
- River Dodder Tidal, Dublin City
- River Tolka, Dublin City
- River Tolka, Dublin Fingal
- River Tolka, Meath
- River Nanny, Duleek, Co. Meath
- River Bandon, Dunmanway, Co, Cork
- River Fergus Upper, Ennis, Co. Clare
- River Blackwater, Fermoy, Co. Cork
- River Nore, Kilkenny City
- River Mornington, Mornington, Co. Meath
- River Tullamore, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
- Munster Blackwater, Mallow South and West, Co. Cork
- Hazelhatch, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
- Derrymullen, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
- Carlow
Details of the information provided to the Insurance Sector is available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie .
An initial survey by Insurance Ireland indicated that flood risk insurance is widely available in areas where flood relief schemes have been completed by the OPW. The survey, which covered a period of seven months from the operational date of the Memorandum of Understanding, found that, in areas benefitting from flood defence schemes of which OPW had supplied data, 77% of household and small business policies included flood cover. I understand that Insurance Ireland has carried out a further survey to provide updated information, and I look forward to receiving details of the results of this survey in the near future.
297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 25 June 2015, the reason for the delay in responding to employees (details supplied) of the Office of Public Works who are based in County Kilkenny in their claim of bullying; the cost of the Baker, Tilly Ryan and Glennon report; the reason it was not acted upon; his views that the Office of Public Works is acting within existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34290/15]
View answerAll employee disputes are treated under the relevant grievance/disciplinary/Positive Working Environment codes which are agreed centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with General Council/ Joint Industrial Council. Where cases escalate beyond those local procedures, they can be referred to the Workplace Relations process i.e. Rights Commissioner, Labour Court, Equality Tribunal etc. In the cases referenced, the OPW could not progress the investigations while the Rights Commissioner decisions were pending.
These two cases were considered by the Rights Commissioner on procedural matters. One decision has issued which instructed the OPW to proceed with a review despite the claimants objections on that case and that review will commence shortly. The decision of the Rights Commissioner in the second case is deferred, subject to exhausting the internal procedures, and this Office has been in correspondence with the employees’ representative.
Costs of €34,909 have been incurred to date by the Commissioners in relation to investigation services provided by Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon (consultants) on the matter.
298. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware of the levels of coastal erosion and issues pertaining to coastal reclamation which are of concern along the coastline in east County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34307/15]
View answer299. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of money allocated from 2011 to 2015 to date to Meath County Council to provide coastal defences and to address coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34308/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together.
It is the responsibility of local authorities in the first instance, including Meath County Council, to identify, investigate and address on a prioritised basis problems of coastal erosion in their areas. The primary objective of policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage or loss to economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified by local authorities to protect those assets and, where such measures are economically justified on cost benefit grounds and compatible with all required environmental and other statutory requirements, they are implemented subject to the availability of resources.
The Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) has surveyed and assessed the coastal erosion risk along the entire national coastline and this information is available to all local authorities to enable them to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties including the identification, prioritisation and, subject to the availability of resources, the implementation of coastal protection works both of a structural and non-structural nature.
Following the winter storms of December 2013 and January 2014 the Government allocated emergency funding via the Office of Public Works (OPW) of up to €75,000 for coastal storm damage repair to Meath County Council to reinstate built coastal defences to their pre-storm condition. The Council submitted a programme of works to OPW for a project at Laytown related to this allocation. It is a matter for the Council to progress the works. To date, the Council has not drawn down the allocation.
It is open to the Council to apply for funding for coastal protection measures under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Application forms and guidance material are available on the OPW's website under Flood Risk Management. Aside from the allocation of €75,000 in special storm damage repair funding, Meath County Council has neither applied for nor been allocated any funding from the OPW in relation to coastal erosion or protection measures.
300. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding will be provided to allow a flood prevention project (details supplied) in County Kerry to proceed without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34315/15]
View answerAs the Deputy indicated, the Office of Public Works approved funding of €144,000 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to Kerry County Council (KCC) in 2014 for flood mitigation works on the Glenshearoon Stream and tributaries of the River Maine at Castleisland. The progression of these works is a matter for the Council. None of the allocated funding has been drawn down to date. The OPW has not received any application for additional funding from KCC in relation to works at this location.
It is open to the Council to undertake additional works utilising its own funding. It may also apply for additional funding for flood relief works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Application forms and guidance material are available on the OPW's website under Flood Risk Management.
301. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when works on a project (details supplied) in County Kerry will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34316/15]
View answerThe channel in question is part of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme which was carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The OPW continues to have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of this scheme.
Each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2,000km of channels and about 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage maintenance programme. While the average cycle of maintenance is generally in the range 4 to 7 years, the OPW does routinely inspect all channels and structures for which it has maintenance responsibility. The timing of work on individual projects is determined having regard to the needs of regular maintenance and the prioritisation of urgent jobs.
In the case of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme, maintenance resources are currently concentrated on works to damaged defences in tidal reaches. At this stage it is not possible to indicate when work might proceed on the project mentioned by the Deputy.
302. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, those aspects of the infrastructure and capital investment 2016 to 2021 programme that are new and not previously launched, detailing the projects and proposed expenditures contained in the programme that were not previously announced by Government. [34329/15]
View answerCapital envelopes were announced in Budget 2015 as part the Multi-annual capital investment framework 2015 to 2017 of €3.62bn, €3.68bn and €3.79bn respectively.
However, on Tuesday 29th September, I published "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021". A copy of this document which includes Departmental allocations is available on the Department's website at www.per.gov.ie. The Capital Plan sets out the Government's commitment to Exchequer investment of €27 billion over the six-year period 2016-2021. The prioritisation of these allocations is a matter for each Department and information on investment programmes is set out in the Plan. The capital envelopes for each respective year are outlined in the following table.
|
- |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
- |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
€bn |
|
Total capital envelope |
3.80 |
3.97 |
4.23 |
4.60 |
5.00 |
5.40 |
27.00 |
303. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated running costs for each Department in 2015 compared to the year 2010; if savings have been made; the origin of such savings, such as administrative savings and reduction in head count; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/15]
View answerThere is a comprehensive set of data published each year in the Revised Estimates for Public Services detailing the running costs of Votes. The information the Deputy is seeking is contained in Appendix 5 and 6 of the publications. The Deputy may also be interested to know that my Department publishes a wide ranging set of data on voted expenditure which is available at http://databank.per.gov.ie.
The economic crisis had a profound impact on the public finances. The fiscal adjustment implemented in order that Ireland could successfully exit the EU-IMF Programme of Support and return sustainability to our public finances required significant expenditure reductions. Gross voted expenditure was reduced from its peak of just over €63 billion in 2009 to €54 billion in 2014.
In implementing expenditure reductions, the Government's priority was to ensure that a targeted approach was adopted in order to protect key public services and social supports to the greatest extent possible at a time of increasing demand. The key sectors of Health, Education and Social Protection were prioritised during this period, and in 2015 these three areas between them account for some 80% of the Government's gross voted current spending.
Public Service Reform was a key element of the Government's response to the crisis and continues to be an essential part of our strategy for recovery. The reforms we have implemented have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of necessary reductions in staff numbers and budgets, and at a time of increased demand for public services.
Significant progress has been made since the publication of the Government's first Public Service Reform Plan in 2011. Staff numbers have been reduced by around 10% since 2008 and the pay-bill has been reduced by over 20%. Other reforms include changes to terms and conditions such as additional working hours and reduced sick leave entitlements. In addition to the reduced cost of the Public Service and improved productivity, reform is also delivering benefits across a range of specific areas such as digital government, shared services, procurement reform and property management.
304. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding from the allocation of €430 million for flood prevention in the capital programme for 2016 to 2020 that will be spent in County Mayo; the specific projects involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34421/15]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme throughout the country. The Programme is being progressed by engineering consultants, on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities including Mayo County Council. The Programme involves an assessment of 300 mainly urban locations nationwide, the mapping of potentially significant flood risk areas and the production of flood risk management options and plans as required by the EU Floods Directive. Currently, the Western CFRAM Programme, which covers County Mayo, is holding Public Consultation Days for preliminary flood risk management options. These preliminary options will inform the Flood Risk Management Plans which will also be subject to public consultation. When the Plans are completed and the options identified, the OPW will be in a better position to indicate what specific areas, if any, of County Mayo will be considered for inclusion in the Capital Plan 2016-2021.
As you may be aware, the OPW is currently progressing the design of a flood relief scheme for Crossmolina. A preferred option is currently being finalised which is then expected to be formally exhibited early in 2016 under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. Until a Cost Benefit Analysis has been completed on the emerging preferred option it will not be possible to say what the funding required for this Scheme will be. However, I can confirm that the funding for the scheme will be met from within the €430m capital envelope 2016 – 2021.
The OPW operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. It is not available for repair of damaged infrastructure or for maintenance of existing flood defence or coastal protection assets. It is open to the Mayo County Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. The funding required for the operation of the minor works scheme will be met from within the capital envelope of €430m for 2016 – 2021.
305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to deal with the flooding issues in the Shannon region, in particular in areas surrounding Athlone in County Westmeath. [34454/15]
View answerAthlone is one of 66 locations in the Shannon River Basin District and 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the Local Authorities, involves the production of predictive flood risk and hazard mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans. Under the Shannon CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps for Athlone have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Athlone on 17 February 2015. The flood maps will be finalised following a national public consultation scheduled to be held later in 2015. Work on the development of preliminary flood risk management options for Athlone and the Shannon River Basin District, involving further local public consultation, is underway. Further information is available on the Shannon CFRAM Study website www.shannoncframstudy.ie.
Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of Preliminary Flood Risk Management Options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified in the Shannon River Basin District. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.
Pending the finalisation of the CFRAM Programme, it is open to Local Authorities to submit an application to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for any interim mitigation measures that may be identified. It is also open to Local Authorities to carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources.
306. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the integrated flood risk management plan for Ballina in County Mayo under the western catchment flood risk assessment and management programme will be concluded and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34479/15]
View answerBallina is one of the 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. Ballina is an AFA within the Western CFRAM programme.
The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the Local Authorities, involves the production of predictive flood risk and hazard mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and flood risk management plans.
The Plans which are scheduled for completion by the end of 2016 will set out the feasible measures to address the assessed predictive flood risk for Ballina.
Further information on the Western CFRAM Study is available on the study website: www.westcframstudy.ie.
307. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff in his Department who were earning over €100,000 in 2014 by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34557/15]
View answerThe table below provides the information requested and I can confirm that all salaries are in line with Government pay policy.
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
5 |
|
Chief Medical Officer |
1 |
|
Occupational Physician |
1 |
|
Director |
2 |
|
Chief Procurement Officer |
1 |
|
Chief Executive Officer NSSO |
1 |
|
Director of Sourcing OGP |
1 |
|
Chief Information Officer |
1 |
|
Special Adviser |
1 |
308. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a decision has been made on the application for minor works by Clare County Council in respect of the Shannon Estuary coastal protection works and the Atlantic coastal protection works in County Clare; if not, when decisions will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34568/15]
View answer309. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the works proposed to be carried out in the minor works application by Clare County Council in respect of the Shannon Estuary coastal protection works and the Atlantic coastal protection works will be funded under the capital investment plan 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34569/15]
View answer310. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform which part of the coastline of County Clare will benefit from coastal protection works that are to be undertaken under the capital investment plan 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34570/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together.
The funding of the proposed works referred to by the Deputy in his question is under consideration by the Office of Public Works in consultation with Clare County Council.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme throughout the country. The Programme is being progressed by engineering consultants, on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities including Clare County Council. The Programme involves an assessment of 300 locations nationwide including 90 coastal locations, the mapping of potentially significant flood risk areas and the production of flood risk management options and plans as required by the EU Floods Directive. Currently, the Shannon CFRAM Programme, which covers County Clare, is holding Public Consultation Days for preliminary flood risk management options. These preliminary options will inform the Flood Risk Management Plans which will also be subject to public consultation. When the Plans are completed and the options identified, the OPW will be in a better position to indicate what specific areas, if any, of County Clare, including its coastline, will be considered for inclusion in the Capital Plan 2016-2021. Public Consultation Days for preliminary flood risk options are scheduled for Kilkee and Kilrush on 20th October and for Ennis, Sixmilebridge, Bunratty, Quin and Shannon on 21st October.
As you may be aware, the OPW approved funding for Clare County Council to undertake coastal erosion risk management studies in respect of 10 coastal locations including Cloughanincy, Doolin (from Crab Island to the mouth of the River Aille), Quilty to Milltown Malbay (with particular focus on each of the three locations; Quilty, Spanish Point and Whitestrand), Miltown Malbay, Liscannor Bay (with particular focus on each of the three locations; Clahane, Liscannor and Lahinch), New Quay (including Aughinish) and Kilbaha. It is a matter for Clare County Council to progress these studies. Any measures that the studies may recommend will require further consideration and no commitment in relation to funding any such measures can be given at this stage.
311. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of the €750 million of fiscal space identified for 2016 that will be used up by public sector pay commitments relating to the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34735/15]
View answerThe Spring Economic Statement (SES) and the corresponding Stability Programme Update (SPU) outlined that fiscal space of the order of €1.2 to €1.5 billion is expected to be available for Budget 2016 split evenly between expenditure increases and tax reductions.
This would allow Government to target an increase in government expenditure of between €600m and €750m in 2016 relative to the 2015 spend and provides the scope to manage any additional impact of previous Budgets, deal with underlying demographic and spending pressures, and target enhancements in key public services. In addition, as outlined in the SES, the range of €1.2 to €1.5 billion does not take into account re-allocation of expenditure funded by savings from efficiencies and policy measures.
In the context of public service pay, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation under which public service pay reductions were effected is predicated on the presence of an extreme financial emergency in the State. Accordingly, as the fiscal emergency conditions abate, it is necessary to begin the prudent and gradual unwinding of the measures provided under the legislation in line with the improved fiscal position and our international commitments under the Stability and Growth Pact. Failure to do so could compromise the legal basis on which the legislation is based. Notwithstanding the current proposals for ameliorating the impact of the measures implemented under the FEMPI legislation, the legislation will continue to play a significant part in the management and control of public expenditure in the coming years.
The estimated additional cost to the public service paybill in 2016 of the proposed changes to the legislation to implement the Lansdowne Road Agreement is €267m, inclusive of previously committed costs of €18m attributable to the Haddington Road Agreement.
The Lansdowne Road Agreement was not just about restoration of pay. It also secures the enhanced efficiencies and productivity measures which have been delivered by the Public Service Agreements, and underpins the ongoing public service reform programme to ensure the continued provision of more efficient and effective public services into the future.
312. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to create employment opportunities for young persons in the public service; his views on the increasing average age of civil servants, which was 43.2 years in 2007 and 47.9 years in 2015; that the interest of the general population, whose average age is 36.1 years, would be best served by a public service with a comparable demographic profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34744/15]
View answerAs much as in any organisation, it is important to seek to ensure that the demographic profile of staff working in the public sector is appropriately balanced. Unfortunately, the severe restrictions it has been necessary to apply to recruitment into the civil and public service on account of the impact of the economic and budgetary crisis, have contributed to an aging public sector workforce.
As this situation reflects developments over a number of years, it is clearly not susceptible to immediate solutions. Moreover, as the Deputy will be aware there are important legal and regulatory requirements that preclude discrimination on the basis of age in civil and public service recruitment.
For example, recruitment to the civil service takes place under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. The Act sets out that recruitment competitions be run under the Codes of Practice published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Codes set out that recruitment processes be conducted in manner which is fair, open and merit based. Consequently, it is not possible under the CPSA Codes to restrict a candidate's access to a competition on the basis of age.
The key to addressing this issue lies in the further development of the workforce planning process included in the Government's Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 by providing robust evidence on future staffing requirements. The key principle of workforce planning is having the right number of people with the right skills in the right jobs at the right time. It requires organisations to focus on the range of skills they need to deliver on their objectives and to identify emerging skills gaps, whether arising from staff turnover or from changes in the external environment which may require new skillsets. Workforce planning, therefore, assists public bodies to identify the number of staff and the skills and experience required and provides the basis on which planned and structured recruitment campaigns can be initiated which are likely to help re-balance over time the age profile across the public sector.
The age profile of applicants from recent open competitions run by the Public Appointments Service for the grades of Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Administrative Officer and Principal Officer and the recently announced graduate recruitment campaign will help to improve the demographic profile of the civil and public service.
313. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Office of Public Works engagements on an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34745/15]
View answerMeath County Council and the Office of Public Works (East Region) engineers have been co-operating in looking at the flooding problem at the location mentioned in the Deputy's question. The OPW approved funding of €58,953 on 30 September of this year under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to Meath County Council for a study to investigate the causes of flooding and to consider options for possible flood relief works in the Ashbourne area.
The Council remains the Contracting Authority for this but should a viable scheme emerge which the Council wants to progress then the OPW will consider funding the project.
314. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the Construction Contracts Act 2013, having been signed into law, will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34408/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 and in order to achieve this, approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to me as Minister for Business and Employment, late last year.
I am taking all the necessary steps to bring about implementation of the legislation as speedily as possible and significant progress has been made to date.
I appointed Dr. Nael G. Bunni as Chairperson of the Construction Contracts Adjudication Panel in July this year. The Public Appointments Service is, at my request, conducting an open competitive process for the selection of members of the Panel of Adjudicators. I will appoint suitably qualified candidates to the Panel as soon as is practicable following completion of the assessment process by the Public Appointments Service.
I am reviewing a draft Code of Practice for the conduct of adjudications which is required under the legislation and the relevant stakeholders will be consulted prior to the publication of the Code by Statutory Instrument.
Once these preparatory arrangements have been completed, a date for implementation of the Act will be announced in advance in order to provide sufficient notice to those affected by its provisions.
315. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for details of the number of supernumerary positions in his Department and the agencies, organisations and bodies funded by his Department; the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed; the total cost in maintaining supernumerary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34145/15]
View answerI understand the Deputy to be referring to temporary or extra positions exceeding the regular staffing complement. In that regard, there are 8 Temporary Clerical Officers (COs) employed in my Department on a CO salary scale of €21,345 - €37,341 per annum. These positions are from August 2015 for an initial twelve month period and the staff in question have been engaged to work on the “conversion” of some 160,000 companies attendant on implementation of the Companies Act 2014. This is a one-off project where additional resources were required to be applied to a task which, when complete, will not require the continued engagement of the staff recruited specifically for the purpose.
My Department is also a participant in the "JobBridge National Internship Scheme” providing work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period. Internships do not displace any existing staff and are not used to fill vacant posts, rather they represent an opportunity for the Department to undertake once-off or project-type work for which there exists a clear definition of objectives relevant to the duration of the internship that we would otherwise be unable to undertake. As interns gain valuable experience which should assist them in their future careers, my Department is pleased to be able to offer these opportunities where appropriate and there are currently 2 interns on 9 month placements within my Department.
The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE), whose staff are drawn from among the employees of my Department, has a contract with an agency for the supply of an agency worker to carry out legal secretarial functions for the Office primarily serving the requirements of the in-house solicitors and legal advisers. There is no grade of Legal Secretary in the Civil Service and, accordingly, it was decided that the most effective manner of obtaining these services was to outsource this particular skill-set through an agency worker arrangement.
Following the latest procurement process, a contract was put in place on 27 July 2015 for a 37.5 hour week at an hourly rate of pay of €19.50 per hour plus €7.63 to the Agency supplying the contracted Secretary. This covers Pay, Holiday Pay, PRSI, and margin and amounts to €1,017.37 per week nett of VAT (€1,251.38 inclusive of VAT).
Finally, I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of any supernumerary positions they may have, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
316. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to provide extra resources to the Employment Appeals Tribunal, given the 72-week waiting list for a hearing; his views that such a delay is unfair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34401/15]
View answerI am committed to fully supporting the Employment Appeals Tribunal as it works through its disposal of the legacy cases it had on hand prior to the establishment of the Workplace Relations Commission. With effect from 1st October, the activities of the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court were merged into a new Body of First Instance, known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The appellate functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal are now incorporated into an expanded Labour Court. From 1st October all complaints fall to be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission in the first instance, and, on appeal, to the Labour Court.
The Deputy may wish to note that recent figures indicate that the average waiting time for a hearing by the Employment Appeals Tribunal is 60 weeks which marks a significant reduction from a waiting time of 76 weeks in 2011.
